Management
The DEA Still Thinks Marijuana is as Dangerous as Heroin
The drug is now legal for medial or recreational use in many states, but the feds still classify cannabis as a schedule 1 substance
Route Fifty
County Pushes Back on Fluoridation Skepticism
Despite public health research showing oral health benefits, adding fluoride to drinking water continues to be a controversial topic for local governments.
Management
New Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Obesity, Marijuana, Vaccines and Guns
Murthy co-founded Doctors for America, a group that sent a letter last year to the Congress, urging them to take stricter measures to stop gun violence.
Management
The 10 Tell-Tale Signs Your Boss Doesn’t Like You
How can you tell if you’re really disliked, or if you’re just being overly sensitive?
Oversight
FCC Plans Giant Fine of Sprint for Bogus Phone Charges
The cell-phone company billed customers for services they never asked for, according to an investigation by federal regulators.
Pay & Benefits
How Feds Could Soon Receive Better Quality Health Care
Under new rule, FEHBP providers would earn bigger profits for providing better care.
Nextgov
Should Agencies Ever Let Hackers Rummage through Government Networks?
USPS, State and the White House, during recent breaches, had golden opportunities to stalk adversaries.
Employee Policy
Federal Coach: Critiques of the Presidential Management Fellows program
A number of federal employees responded to my recent column about the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program, largely reinforcing the flaws that recent surveys found in the way agencies manage this premier initiative.
Employee Policy
USCIS says new site makes job searches easier
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rolled out a redesigned career section on it website that the agency says will make it easier for job-seekers to explore vacancies, and for employees to explore career development opportunities.
Benefits
VA explores ways to speed and improve doctors' decision-making
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a pilot program it will use to study new ways for physicians to quickly search electronic medical records and sort through medical literature for studies relevant to patients' specific cases.
Benefits
OPM rule aims to improve FEHB performance
New performance measures proposed by the Office of Personnel Management may soon play a role in improving the quality of health care provided under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Management
The Delicate Art of Denying a Presidential Bid
"I am not running for president," Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said. Does that mean she won't?
Oversight
Obama Wants to Close Guantanamo. Will a GOP Senate Let Him Do It?
The president's ability to fulfill his campaign pledge could depend on which side wins an intra-party debate.
Route Fifty
California Gets Much-Needed Funds to Deploy Expanded Earthquake Early-Warning System
When fully deployed, Los Angeles could get as much as a one-minute heads up that destructive waves are headed toward the city from the San Andreas Fault.
Nextgov
VA Turns to IBM Watson to Improve Veteran Care
The pilot program could show how cognitive computing systems can distill complex data sets into useful information.
Oversight
How a Major Postal Overhaul Nearly Made Its Way Into the CRomnibus
Democrats blocked their own chairman’s last ditch effort, aides say.
Defense
Defense Bill Extends Disputed Small Business Program
Contractors gain opportunities for women-owned firms, exports.
Management
Koch-Backed Group Says EPA Joins CIA in 'Torture'
A conservative, pro-fossil-fuels group is out with a provocative claim: EPA tortures too. With climate-change regulations.
Management